Car hit in car park... what can I do?
Discussion
Friday night after watching (the hiarious if you arn't politically correct in any way) Borat at the cinema I returned to find a huge dent in the right front wing just infront of the wheel above the bumper.
Me and my girlfriend did see a white corsa reversing out of a space next to my car but from the other side of the car park (and didn't see the huge shiner until very close to the car). The dent has streaks of white and a tiny bit of red paint on it.
Went to see the parking warden and he explained there were only cams covering the entry and exit (the 1 time I would actually appreciate all the CCTV and I'm not covered), so get him to write down the plates of all white cars leaving the car park from that time -20 mins. The 2 prime suspect cars on the CCTV had visible damage on them, the corsa we spotted reversing out had damage to the rear right side light (which makes sense as he backed out next to my damaged right frontside wing).
Went to the plod with this information yesterday and they basically said that they can't do anything as there is no proof, even if they made a visit to these cars and found black paint on its bumper they still wouldn't be able to prove it was them who hit me... They did take the list of plates the CCTV guy kindly gave me but it took persuading and I don't believe they will follow any of them up.
Is there anything I've missed here, anything I should have asked/told the plod as I feel really gutted having kept my car obsessively well looked after for some idiot who cant drive to possibly lead to me making an insurance claim/having a huge repair bill... all help greatly appreciated.
Martin
Me and my girlfriend did see a white corsa reversing out of a space next to my car but from the other side of the car park (and didn't see the huge shiner until very close to the car). The dent has streaks of white and a tiny bit of red paint on it.
Went to see the parking warden and he explained there were only cams covering the entry and exit (the 1 time I would actually appreciate all the CCTV and I'm not covered), so get him to write down the plates of all white cars leaving the car park from that time -20 mins. The 2 prime suspect cars on the CCTV had visible damage on them, the corsa we spotted reversing out had damage to the rear right side light (which makes sense as he backed out next to my damaged right frontside wing).
Went to the plod with this information yesterday and they basically said that they can't do anything as there is no proof, even if they made a visit to these cars and found black paint on its bumper they still wouldn't be able to prove it was them who hit me... They did take the list of plates the CCTV guy kindly gave me but it took persuading and I don't believe they will follow any of them up.
Is there anything I've missed here, anything I should have asked/told the plod as I feel really gutted having kept my car obsessively well looked after for some idiot who cant drive to possibly lead to me making an insurance claim/having a huge repair bill... all help greatly appreciated.
Martin
Edited by martaay on Monday 6th November 10:24
I know they may have more important things to do, but its still a crime, and they're still duty bound to investigate?
And despite what they say, they can prove that the paints match. Thats what they have labs for.
Yes its expensive and may not be in the general interest, but thats what you pay taxes for.
And despite what they say, they can prove that the paints match. Thats what they have labs for.
Yes its expensive and may not be in the general interest, but thats what you pay taxes for.
Parrot of Doom said:
I know they may have more important things to do, but its still a crime, and they're still duty bound to investigate?
And despite what they say, they can prove that the paints match. Thats what they have labs for.
Yes its expensive and may not be in the general interest, but thats what you pay taxes for.
And despite what they say, they can prove that the paints match. Thats what they have labs for.
Yes its expensive and may not be in the general interest, but thats what you pay taxes for.
What if you tell the BiB you think the white car was speeding and can prove it via CCTV...?
Have a look at this thread
[url] www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=322867&f=10&h=0 [/url]
This seems to be exceedingly relevant, with some excellenct contributions from our BiB posters.
[url] www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=322867&f=10&h=0 [/url]
This seems to be exceedingly relevant, with some excellenct contributions from our BiB posters.
I had a very different result a few years back.
I received a phone call from the police one evening, asking about an accident that my car had been involved in(?!). That was the first I'd heard of it, so quickly rushed to the window to make sure all was still in order!
What became apparent, is that somebody hit a wheelarch when reversing out of a parking space (it was very minor and on the passenger side, hence I hadn't even noticed in the dark). The offending driver had got out of their car, inspected the damage and written a note which they put behind the wiper blades. A few minutes later, they obviously had a change of heart, removed the note and drove off, not knowing that a member of the public was watching, taking notes, and then kindly making a statement to the police ;o)
In this case, the police did take an interest - I was issued with a producer, as was offending driver, and the repair bill was sent his way.
I received a phone call from the police one evening, asking about an accident that my car had been involved in(?!). That was the first I'd heard of it, so quickly rushed to the window to make sure all was still in order!
What became apparent, is that somebody hit a wheelarch when reversing out of a parking space (it was very minor and on the passenger side, hence I hadn't even noticed in the dark). The offending driver had got out of their car, inspected the damage and written a note which they put behind the wiper blades. A few minutes later, they obviously had a change of heart, removed the note and drove off, not knowing that a member of the public was watching, taking notes, and then kindly making a statement to the police ;o)
In this case, the police did take an interest - I was issued with a producer, as was offending driver, and the repair bill was sent his way.
I would be inclined to write letters to DVLA for each of the cars on the list saying they were seen damaging your car and you want their numbers. Then you write a polite letter to each person telling that you have reason to believe, etc and that you are giving them the opportunity to fess up with their details before you report them to the police for leaving the scene. Alternatively you could sue the one you really think was to blame...
Might be worth a go?
SM
Might be worth a go?
SM
By the way, it strikes me that this kind of thing is PRECICELY what I want my taxes spent on. I don't want police checking speed, or investigating "hate crimes" where someone was revving their engine or eating jelly babies in a racist fashion.
I want scumbags that are costing me money and / or heartache to be held to account. And importantly made to feel like they'll be held to account if they don't do the right thing and fess up.
SM
I want scumbags that are costing me money and / or heartache to be held to account. And importantly made to feel like they'll be held to account if they don't do the right thing and fess up.
SM
Couple of years ago, was stopped in a Sainsbury car park, eating what i'd bought in store ,when i felt my van rock - looked in mirror to see little old lady ( white hair and hat ) rubbing bumpers with my van. Sort of stopped, not wanting to make a scene - she carefuly drove forward, then back and got out fast. Trouble is she hadn't sen me take her number, or see the police car at the store entrance. Minutes later he drove past, i flagged him down gave him number, showed him paint ,which would rub off and asked him to make her aware of the law. Funny thing is that he was very official at that point. Would like to think that perhaps a lecture might have occurred.
supermono said:
7db said:
Demanding money with menaces, anyone?
Well not really. Surely? It's not like you picked them out randomly -- you have a prime suspect, right?
SM
You're correct the white car seen reversing out parked next to my car is #1 suspect, as surely if that car was parked there next to mine then how could my car have been damaged without damaging that one too? CCTV guy also said there was damage on that car on the matching side when leaving so I've every reason to believe it was that punk but unfortunately no evidence.
If I was to approach and ask him to pay up or threaten to goto the poilce with his details (police already have his plate), is this not blackmail? I work for a car industry related company so our good ol HPI checker will reveal all the details I need about the car, address etc
Thanks for all your replies its really helpful!
Edited by martaay on Tuesday 7th November 11:58
martaay said:
supermono said:
7db said:
Demanding money with menaces, anyone?
Well not really. Surely? It's not like you picked them out randomly -- you have a prime suspect, right?
SM
You're correct the white car seen reversing out parked next to my car is #1 suspect, as surely if that car was parked there next to mine then how could my car have been damaged without damaging that one too? CCTV guy also said there was damage on that car on the matching side when leaving so I've every reason to believe it was that punk but unfortunately no evidence.
If I was to approach and ask him to pay up or goto the poilce with his details, is this not blackmail? I work for a car industry related company so our good ol HPI checker will reveal all the details I need about the car, address etc
Thats not blackmail, its what you should do!
if you can get the details about the car, then you are in a better position than most of us. If he lives localy I would go round and knock on his door. On the way up the driveway I would take a couple of photos with a digital camera.
I would basically just say as it is. Say that the damage was caused to your car and his car was caught on CCTV. Of course this statement is true as it does not 'prove' his guilt. Say that you dont want to have to go to the police about it, just want to get it sorted. He may 'fess up'. For backup I would also have something which would record voices. It may or may not be admissable in court - but he may admit all and then a week later when you come back with a quote, he may have never seen you before and his car is fixed
At least if you can tell him that you recorded your conversation that this will stymie him somewhat!
Although that seems over the top, if he was willing to drive off before he will probably want to leave you in the lurch again, so getting him to admit it once on tape.
Then, should he not pay you could take out civil proceedings for the cost of the repair. If the police dont want to folllow up the case thats up to them. The difference would be then is that for them to prove a cade it must be without reasonable doubt. However if you want to prove a case in the civil court it is just on the balance of opinion. If you have a tape recording of him admitting it, CCTV evidence that he was there, and photos of the damage to his and your car, thats plenty.
Hopefully though he might see that he is not going to get away with it and pay up.
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